HAMILTON, New Zealand (AFP) — The Waikato Chiefs superior fitness saw them snatch a a late 22-20 victory over the Central Cheetahs in a cliffhanger Super 14 rugby match here Saturday.
The Chiefs scored three tries to two but it was the erratic boot of flyhalf Stephen Donald that made the telling difference.
As the Chiefs clawed their way back from a 0-17 deficit at halftime, points went begging as Donald missed two close-range penalties and a conversion.
But four minutes from time he made no mistake with a penalty from the sideline that put the Chiefs in front for the first time in the match.
Mils Muliaina, leading the Chiefs in the absence of the injured Jono Gibbes, said his side knew if they were patient the result would come.
"The boys gutsed it out," Muliaina said.
"We felt going into halftime that if we built some more pressure and scored first, it could go a long way towards getting a result tonight."
It was the Chiefs' second win from four matches, although they are yet to score a bonus point, which may prove costly at the business end of the competition.
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Chiefs' second-half charge sinks Cheetahs in Super 14 clash
Chiefs' second-half charge sinks Cheetahs in Super 14 clash
